After a car accident, the victim is able to seek compensation for their expenses related to the accident. However, the initial settlement offer is often too low and only covers medical expenses. Instead, there may be a lot of different things the victim can claim to ensure they have the funds they need moving forward, especially if they suffer permanent or life-altering injuries. Some of the things that the victim may be able to claim include the following.
Lost Wages or Future Earnings
After an accident, the victim may have to take a leave of absence from work while they recover. If they have severe injuries, this could be a longer period of time, and if they suffered permanent injuries from the accident, they may no longer be able to work. The lost wages or loss of future earning capacity may be included in the compensation claim. A lawyer like those from The Millar Law Firm can help victims understand their rights.
Household and Lifestyle Adjustments
Severe or permanent injuries can mean the victim needs to be in a wheelchair or use other mobility devices to get around. No matter if this is short-term or permanent, they may need to make adjustments to their home and lifestyle to accommodate the assistance needed. There are a lot of home adjustments they can make, as well as possibly needing a different vehicle or other items to make the world more accessible for them, and these can often be included in the compensation claim.
Property Damage
Property damage can include everything from the vehicle to anything that was inside of it when the accident occurred. If the victim’s phone was destroyed in the accident, for example, they can add it to the claim and request comepnsation to cover a replacement. This could also include car seats and other items inside the vehicle that would not have been damaged if the accident didn’t occur.
Impact on Quality of Life
With severe or permanent injuries, the victim may no longer be able to enjoy the things they used to love, such as hobbies, exercise, or traveling. This can be considered in the compensation claim, too. While it’s harder to put a number on something like this, it is possible to claim it and request compensation to cover the impact the accident will have on the person’s ability to enjoy their life the way they did before the accident.
Legal Fees and Related Expenses
On top of the other expenses requested through compensation, the victim can also request that their legal fees and other expenses be paid by the at-fault driver. After all, they wouldn’t have legal fees if they hadn’t been in the accident. Other expenses they can claim might include prescription costs, car rental fees, towing fees, and more. It’s important to keep receipts for any expenses that can be added to the claim.
How much is your case really worth? Instead of accepting the first settlement offer from the insurance company, which is likely too low, it’s better to consider the full impact the accident will have on your case. You may be able to receive a lot more money from the accident to help cover all expenses, not just medical bills. Schedule a consultation with a car accident lawyer now to learn more.
